**Ryan Reynolds Receives Cheeky Warning from Ed Sheeran After Wrexham’s Dramatic Promotion**
Wrexham AFC’s remarkable journey under Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney has captured global attention over the past four years, with the club recently sealing promotion to the Championship. However, as they prepare for life in English football’s second tier, the Red Dragons have already been met with playful rivalry from one of the world’s biggest pop stars.
During a star-studded performance at the TIME100 Gala in New York, Ed Sheeran – who owns a minority stake in Ipswich Town – issued an exuberant, expletive-infused warning directly to Reynolds, setting the stage for an exciting celebrity showdown next season. The moment unfolded as Sheeran addressed Reynolds from the stage, joking: “Ryan, I think Wrexham are going to get promoted and we’re going to see each other next season. We’ll f*** you up. We will, I’m telling you.”
Reynolds was in attendance at the event alongside his wife Blake Lively, clearly delighted at the mention of Wrexham’s promotion. He responded to Sheeran’s taunt in good humour, blowing a kiss before feigning outrage and waving the remarks away, much to the amusement of the audience. This exchange highlights the friendly but competitive spirit growing among the cadre of celebrity football club owners now scattered throughout the EFL.
Wrexham supporters are now relishing the prospect of sharing the Championship with high-profile club investors such as NFL legend Tom Brady – a part-owner of Birmingham City, who topped League One this year – and Ed Sheeran, whose Ipswich side will compete hot on the heels of Premier League relegation. These celebrity connections only add to the intrigue and glamour of next season’s campaign.
Ipswich, buoyed by Premier League parachute payments, are expected to be early favourites to secure an immediate return to the top flight. Meanwhile, questions swirl around whether Wrexham can sustain their meteoric rise and achieve the almost unprecedented feat of three consecutive promotions. McElhenney recently teased rivals by asserting Wrexham are “not done yet,” stoking anticipation that the club’s ambitions extend well beyond survival.
Reynolds, ever thoughtful in his interactions with fans, paid an emotional tribute to the Wrexham faithful on social media following the club’s promotion. “This club is the sum of its supporters. Before we showed up they’d saved it multiple times. It’s a temple as much as a football pitch,” he wrote. Reynolds went on to reflect on the transformative experience of being involved with the club, expressing gratitude to the community and his co-owner: “I think I speak for @RMcElhenney when I say, thank you for the greatest four years and here’s to many more.”
The impact of the Hollywood-backed takeover, coupled with the popularity of the “Welcome to Wrexham” documentary, has sparked an explosion of global interest in the North Wales club. This has led to crowds at the Racecourse Ground swelling and a stream of international visitors, including famous faces from entertainment and sport. Recent matchdays have even attracted celebrities such as Eva Longoria and Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong.
Despite the fandom and celebrity entourages, Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson is determined to maintain a grounded approach. Speaking recently, he emphasised the importance of club culture: “There will be tough decisions this summer about who we bring in and how we add to this fantastic squad. But we must ensure there are no superstars, no egos – we need to maintain the right balance in the dressing room.”
Looking ahead, Reynolds has reaffirmed Wrexham’s lofty aims, recalling the original vision set by McElhenney: “Four years ago, this man [McElhenney] said our goal is to make it to the Premier League. There was understandably a lot of titters, laughter and giggles – but now it’s starting to feel like a tangible thing that could actually come to fruition.”
As the anticipation builds for the Championship season, one thing is certain: whether on the pitch or from the executive boxes, the eyes of the world will once again be firmly fixed on Wrexham AFC – and the celebrity rivalries that add a fresh layer to the club’s unfolding story.